Door assembly for washing machine

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a door assembly for a washing machine comprising a main recess part on the door frame for allowing adhesives applied thereto and a sub recess part for receiving the adhesives flown over from the main recess part. Thus, when sticking the door glass to the door frame, the adhesives are not leaked out, thereby preventing the surrounding of the adhesives from being contaminated.

This application claims the benefit of the Patent Korean Application No. P2004-88269, filed on Nov. 2, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and more particularly, to a door assembly for a washing machine capable of preventing the surrounding where a door glass is stuck to a door frame by adhesives from being contaminated.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, washing machines are home appliances which remove dirt from clothing items, clothes and beddings (hereinafter, ‘the laundry’) by using washing liquid and water (hereinafter, ‘washing water’).

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a related art washing machine.

As shown in FIG. 1, the related art washing machine includes a base plate 1 for defining a base, a cabinet 2 defining a circumferential surface, a top cover 10 for defining a top and having a laundry entrance 8 for loading the laundry, and a door coupled to the top cover 10 for opening/closing the door 20.

There is a control part 15 at the top cover 10 for controlling the washing machine.

The door includes a rear door 22 coupled to the top cover 10, and a front door 24 coupled to the rear door 22.

The rear and front door 22 and 24 are folded or unfolded as necessary. That is, when loading the laundry, the rear and front door 22 and 24 are folded to open the laundry entrance 8, whereas during a washing cycle, the rear and front door 22 and 24 are unfolded to close the laundry entrance 8.

However, the related art washing machine has a problem that it is difficult to check whether the washing cycle is under the process, or not, because the door 20 is not transparent enough to see through.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a door assembly for a washing machine that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a door assembly for a washing machine capable of being handled to open the inside of the washing machine for a user's convenience, as well as the user seeing through the inside of the washing machine.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a door assembly for a washing machine capable of preventing adhesives from leaking out in a manufacturing process of the door assembly, thereby stopping the contamination of an exterior of the door assembly.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an door assembly for a washing machine includes a top cover having a laundry entrance: a door frame coupled to the top cover, having an opening part on a surface thereof; a door glass put on an upper surface of the door frame for covering the opening part; a main recess part insertedly formed on a portion of an upper surface of the door fame which the door glass are in a close contact with.

At that time, a glass seating part insertedly formed in the upper surface of the door frame is further included for allowing the door glass seated thereon, and the glass seating part allows the main recess part formed on the surface thereof.

The depth in which the glass seating part is inserted is the same as or deeper than the thickness of the door glass.

Also, a sub recess part formed on the surface of the glass seating part is further included for receiving the adhesives flown over from the main recess part.

The sub recess part is formed outer, compared with the main recess part.

The sub recess part is formed along the circumferential surface of the main recess part.

The sub recess part is narrower in width than the main recess part.

The sub recess part is spaced apart at a predetermined distance from an inner circumferential surface of the glass seating part.

Also, an opaque sheet on a circumference of the upper surface of the door glass is further included.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a related art washing machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, when a first embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention is closed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, when a first embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention is closed.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a door of FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an A-A line of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, when a first embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention is closed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view, when a first embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention is closed. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a door of FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating an A-A line of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the door assembly for the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a top cover 52 and a door 50.

The door 50 includes a door frame 60 and a door glass 70.

First of all, the top cover 52 will be described.

The top cover 52 is a portion where the door 50 is mounted, and defines a top of the washing machine. The top cover 52 has a square shape, and an accommodating part 53 having an upper side thereof opened is formed in rear of the top cover 52.

Many kinds of sub assembly components (not shown) such as a water supply valve or a water level sensor are provided in the accommodating part 53.

A control panel 55 is provided on an upper portion of the accommodating part 53 for managing operation of the washing machine. There is a control board (not shown) within the control panel 55 for controlling the washing operation based on the control panel 55.

Furthermore, a door seating part 56 is formed on an upper surface of the top cover 52 for allowing the door 50 to seat thereon, and a laundry entrance 51 is formed in a center of the door seating part 56.

The door seating part 56 is big enough to accommodate the door frame 60.

Also, the door seating part 56 is big enough to minimize an aperture between the door frame 60 and the top cover 52 when the door frame is accommodated.

Specifically, the door seating part 56 in a front-and-rear direction may be formed in a size to have an aperture ti big enough for the user's hand or finger to be inserted fully, compared with the size for a front and rear direction of the door frame 60.

A front portion 57 of the door seating part 56 is formed higher than a rear portion thereof, and inclined downwardly from an end of the front portion toward the rear portion. Preferably, the inclined surface is formed concavely round.

Next, the door frame 60 will be described.

First of all, the door frame 60 is coupled to the top cover 52.

Also, an opening part 58 corresponding to the laundry entrance 51 is formed on the door frame 60.

The opening part 58 may be formed almost the same as the laundry entrance 51 of the top cover 52. Alternatively, the opening part 58 may be larger or smaller than the laundry entrance 51.

Also, the door frame 60 made of one material such as plastic injected resin or metal is hinged to the top cover.

For that, hinge shafts 62 are provided each at a first side of a rear surface of the door frame 60, or each at a first side of the accommodation part 53 of the top cover 52. Hinge holes 63 rotatably connected to the hinge shafts 62 are formed at a second side of the door frame 60 or the accommodation part 53.

Thus, once the front of the door frame 60 is lifted upwardly, the door 50 rotates upwardly to open the laundry entrance 51. Therewith, the front portion 61 of the door frame 60 is thinner than the other portions thereof. That is, when the door frame 60 is seated on the door seating part 56, the front portion 61 is spaced apart at a predetermined distance from a base of the door seating part 56. That structure enables the user to grasp the front portion 61 of the door frame 60 without any difficulties.

At that time, the end of the front portion 61 of the door frame 60 is more inclined than the front portion 57 of the door seating part 56. Thus, the end of the front portion 61 of the door frame 60 may not come in contact with the front portion 57 of the door seating part 56.

Therefore, the user may grasp the front portion 61 of the door frame 60 through the aperture t₁ between the door frame 60 and the door seating part 56 more easily.

Still further, a glass seating part 64 is insertedly formed on a front surface of the door frame 60. The door glass 70 is seated in the glass seating part 64.

The glass seating part 64 has a shape corresponding to the door glass 70, and is formed larger than the door glass 70.

Especially, the size difference between the glass seating part 64 and the door glass 70 is enough that a small aperture t₂ may be formed between an inner circumference of the glass seating part 64 and an outer circumference of the door glass 70.

Preferably, the depth in that the glass seating part 64 is inserted is the same as the thickness of the door glass 70 or deeper than the door glass 70. That is so that the door glass 70 may not more projected than the upper surface of the door frame 60, when seating the door glass 70 on the glass seating part 64.

On the other hand, a main recess part is formed in a portion of the door frame 60, where the door glass 70 is contacted, in other words, the upper surface of the glass seating part 64. Adhesives C are applied to the main recess part 65.

The main recess part 65 is a recess part in which the upper surface of the glass seating part 64 is inserted.

The main recess part 65 may be formed along all the circumference portions of the opening part 58 on the upper surface of the glass seating part 64. Alternatively, although not described, the main recess part 65 may be partially formed on the upper surface of the glass seating part 64.

Also, the first embodiment of the present invention discloses that a sub recess part 66 is further formed on the glass seating part 64.

The sub recess part 66 is for holding over-flown adhesives in case that the adhesives applied to the main recess part 65 are over flown.

Especially, the sub recess part 66 is formed outer, compared with the main recess part 65, and narrower than the main recess part 65. Regardless to say, the sub recess part 66 also may be formed along all the circumference portions of the main recess part 65.

Furthermore, the sub recess part 66 may be spaced apart at a predetermined distance t₂ from an inner circumferential surface of the glass seating part 64. the distance t₂ is the same as the aperture t₂ between the glass seating part 64 and the door glass 70.

Still further, a division rib 67 is further formed on the glass seating part 64 for dividing the sub recess part 65 from the main recess part 66. The division rib 67 is high enough for the adhesives applied to the main recess part 65 to go over into the sub recess part 66.

Next, the door glass 70 will be described.

First of all, the door glass 70 is a window for seeing through the inside of the washing machine from an outside, and is made of transparent material.

The door glass 70 is stuck to the glass seating part 64 of the door frame by adhesives (C) for covering the opening part 58 of the door frame 60.

An opaque sheet 72 is further provided on a circumference of the upper surface of the door glass 70.

The opaque sheet 72 is a film so as not to see through a below portion thereof, in other words, the portion where the door glass 70 and the door frame 60 are stuck. Then, the opaque sheet 72 is provided on the upper circumference surface of the door glass 70, the portion not corresponding to the laundry entrance 51 and the opening part 58.

On the other hand, the reference number 74 is a seating rib projected at the glass seating part 64. The seating rib 74 forms the sub recess part 66, and is seated at a downside edge of the door glass 70.

An assembly process of the door assembly according to the present invention will be described.

First, as shown in FIG. 4, the adhesives C are applied to the main recess part 65 of the door frame 60.

Hence, the door glass 70 is seated on the glass seating part 64.

In that case, the portion of the door glass 70 downside, facing the main recess part 65 is stuck on the adhesives C, whereas the other portions thereof is in a close contact with the portion facing the glass seating part 64.

If the adhesives C are applied to the entire main recess part 65 or some of the main recess part 65 too much in the middle of seating the door glass 60 on the glass seating part 64, the adhesives C are over flown from the main recess part 65.

However, the adhesives C go across the division rib 67 into the sub recess part 66. Continuously, the adhesives are flown along the sub recess part 66. Thus, the adhesives are prevented from being over flown outside of the sub recess part 66. Then, the adhesives C′ flown into the sub recess part 66 are stuck to the surface of the door glass 70 facing the sub recess 66.

On the other hand, if the adhesives C are applied too much, the adhesives C may be over flown to the outside of the sub recess part 66. However, the over flown adhesives C are stopped from being leaked into an outside by the inner circumferential surface of the glass seating part 64. Also, the adhesives are flown along the aperture t₂ between the door glass 60 and the glass seating part 64 to allow the outer circumferential surface of the door glass 60 and the inner circumferential surface of the glass seating part 64 stuck together.

As described above, the door assembly for a washing machine according to the present invention has the following advantageous effect. First, the user may see through the inside of the washing machine due to the door assembly according to the present invention, as well as may open the washing machine more easily.

Furthermore, when connecting the door glass 70 to the door frame 60, the adhesives are prevented from being leaked outside of the aperture between the door frame 60 and the door glass 70 by the main and sub recess part 65 and 66.

Still further, since the door assembly for the washing machine according to the present invention has the glass seating part 64 on the upper surface of the door frame 60. Thus, the adhesives may stay in the inner wall side of the glass seating part, although the adhesives are over flown outside of the sub recess part 66, thereby preventing the adhesives from being over flown to an outside. Also the portion around the adhesives may be prevented from being contaminated.

Still further, since the door assembly for the washing machine according to the present invention has the division rib on the glass seating part 64 for divide the main recess part 65 into the sub recess part 66, the worker may apply the adhesives to the main and sub recess part 65 and 66 more easily.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A door assembly for a washing machine comprising: a top cover having a laundry entrance: a door frame coupled to the top cover, the door frame having an opening part on a surface thereof; a door glass put on an upper surface of the door frame for covering the opening part; a main recess part insertedly formed on a portion of the upper surface of the door frame with which the door glass are in a close contact, the main recess part having adhesives applied thereon.
 2. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 1, wherein the main recess part is formed along the circumferential surface of the opening part.
 3. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a sub recess part on the upper surface of the door frame for receiving the adhesives flown over from the main recess part.
 4. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 3, wherein the sub recess part is formed outer, compared with the main recess part.
 5. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 4, wherein the sub recess part is formed along the circumferential surface of the main recess part.
 6. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 3, wherein the sub recess part is narrower in width than the main recess part.
 7. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 1, further comprising a glass seating part insertedly formed in the upper surface of the door frame for allowing the door glass seated thereon, the glass seating part for allowing the main recess part formed on the surface thereof.
 8. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 7, wherein the depth in which the glass seating part is inserted is the same as or deeper than the thickness of the door glass.
 9. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 7, further comprising a sub recess part formed on the surface of the glass seating part for receiving the adhesives flown over from the main recess part.
 10. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 9, wherein the sub recess part is formed outer, compared with the main recess part.
 11. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 10, wherein the sub recess part is formed along the circumferential surface of the main recess part.
 12. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 9, wherein the sub recess part is narrower in width than the main recess part.
 13. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 9, wherein the sub recess part is spaced apart at a predetermined distance from an inner circumferential surface of the glass seating part.
 14. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 9, further comprising a division rib for dividing the main recess part into the sub recess part, the division rib high enough for the adhesives flown from the main recess part to go over into the sub recess part.
 15. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 7, wherein the depth in which the glass seating part is inserted is the same as or deeper than the thickness of the door glass.
 16. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 7, further comprising an opaque sheet on a circumference of the upper surface of the door glass.
 17. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 16, wherein the opaque sheet is formed for covering the other portion of the upper surface circumference of the door glass, except the portion facing the opening part.
 18. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 1, wherein a door seating part is insertedly formed on the top cover, and wherein the size of the door seating part in a front-and-rear direction is larger than that of the door frame in a front-and-rear direction.
 19. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 18, wherein a front portion of the door frame is thinner than the other portions of the door frame.
 20. The door assembly for the washing machine of claim 19, wherein the door seating part is formed round so that it may be getting higher from a front portion of the laundry entrance toward a front portion of the top cover, but not to face a front portion of the door frame. 